Mar 7, 2007

Continental Airlines, the world's fifth largest carrier on Wednesday announced launching daily non-stop flights between Mumbai and New York from October 31.

The flights, subject to government approvals, will be the second such service by Continental which is operating Delhi- New York non-stop flights since 2005, Continental Airlines Managing Director Timothy J Kennedy said here. Mumbai will be the 30th city in Continental's trans-Atlantic route network.

The flight will offer passengers, same airline and same terminal onwards connections to cities throughout the Americas from the New York's hub airport Newark Liberty International Airport.

The Mumbai-New York/Newark flights will be operated with 283-seater Boeing 777-200 aircraft, carrying a 48 passengers in the BusinessFirst cabin and 235 in economy. Flying time will be approximately 16 hours 15 minute westbound and 14 hours 50 minutes eastbound.

"In Mumbai we are looking at different segments including the business travellers and students," Kennedy said adding that the airline was very pleased with its Delhi operations. "Our Delhi-New York flights have an average passenger load of 80-85 per cent and we give at least a year to spool up similar load for the Mumbai-New York service," he added.

Air India will also start a similar service one it takes possession of its 777-200LR and 787.